Mister, The Man in the shack

by MustangSallie

This is a story about human endurance, hope and redemption. Two men meet in a prison. One, faced with years of deep, dark despair found the resiliency he needed to survive. The other found his moral compass. I don't own the characters of Laramie, I just like to expand their universe. Warning: Emotions are going to leap off the pages at you. So beware!

3. Getting to know you

Christmas had come and gone and it was winter. Mister lay curled in his blankets for longer periods of time now. He ventured out of his warm nest to wash and eat but mostly lay quietly. While his body was at rest, his mind was not. He still couldn't figure out why he'd been taken. What had he done? He always tried to be honest and fair with people. He knew his moral code might not be liked by others but it worked for him and his family.

One night, Peter came into the shack with a box under his arm. "Do you play checkers?" he asked.

Mister nodded and Peter set his rifle near the door and set up the game. Pondering his moves, Mister lost the memory thread he'd been chewing on and looked at his guard.

"Why did you take this job," Mister asked.

"Good money and not a lot of work to do it," Peter responded.

"What does your family think about what you do?"

"Haven't got a family," Peter answered evenly, and then he found himself, not for the first time, wondering about Mister.

"Do you have a family?" he finally asked.

"Yeah, a brother, mother and son."

"What did you do before?"

"I was a rancher. We raised cattle and horses."

"How old is your son?"

"Mister thought for a moment. " Probably about 12 or 13 now."

"Do you think they have stopped looking for you?"

"No, and they never will," Mister said adamantly. "They're with me everyday," he added as he placed a hand over his heart.

"Can you read?" Peter had an idea.

"Yes," Mister nodded.

"Well, I have to go to town day after tomorrow to get supplies. I'll see if I can find some newspapers or a book for you."

"Thank you," Mister said. His guard now knew that he wasn't an outlaw; he was educated and had a family. Maybe Peter would continue to be nicer to him.

They played a few games and then Peter left. For the first time since he had begun this new life, Mister felt better about himself. As he thought about it, he realized that he'd been lonely for conversation. God, how he missed talking to his family, hearing their voices. For a brief moment, he wondered if he'd ever see them again. If he didn't die here, he'd be free in 4 or was it 5 years? Would he even be welcome? No one had found him, so maybe they thought he was dead?

"No, that can't be it," he said aloud. "The bond is still there. I can feel it." Mister lay down, cradling his head on his arm. Closing his eyes, he dreamed of home.